S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl to Windows

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is a classic example of the successful combination of the FPS genre (first-person shooter) with elements of horror and an unobtrusive role-playing component. The game's unique atmosphere and tense storyline ensured its success with millions of fans for many years after its release.

About the game

Released by GSC Game World back in 2007 under the Windows platform, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl at that time did not feature advanced graphics. But the engine X-Ray, created by the developer specifically for this project, allowed to incarnate on the screens of monitors a wonderful world that scared his brutality, enthralled by a series of mysterious events and allowed to feel the excitement of participation in semi-criminal, semi-spy ragers with endless shootouts.

The plot of the game unfolds in the so-called Exclusion Zone around the destroyed Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Despite the military guards jealously guarding the borders of the zone, this area is filled with groups of armed adventurous stalkers, who relentlessly prowl around in search of "artifacts" - items with incredible effects obtained as a result of the disaster at the nuclear plant. Stalkers are confronted by bandits, mutants, creepy monsters, radiation and unknown forces responsible for all this crazy story. The protagonist is a stalker who has lost his memory and must unravel the complex knot of his own destiny.

Game Mechanics

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is a sandbox first-person shooter with free movement throughout most of the story. RPG elements are important for the game: collecting artifacts that change the characteristics of the hero, completing quests, interacting with non-playable characters, choosing your path to pass.

Atmosphere

One of the main merits of the game was its unforgettable atmosphere, which to this day makes players return again and again to this peculiar world. The campfire anecdotes, the romance of adventure, references to the Strugatsky novel "Picnic at the Sidewalk", vivid and memorable phrases of the NPS, the mystery of what is happening and the sense of impending danger - with each piece of the game tries to surprise and delight.